Maybe he works for "Drive.com"

[joolz]

I noticed this personal review in Whirlpool between the Sidi Commodore and the FG XR6. Basically said the Falcon is a box of s#*t and the Commodore is the best thing since sliced bread.
Its no wonder the publics perception of the Falcon is so bad when people actually swallow stories like this without actually driving the car and being honest about it.


http://forums.whirlpool.net.au/forum....cfm?t=1843148


My journey started after my first minor bingle in 10+ years which prompted me to get a hire car whilst the Golf was at the repair shop.

I have owned mainly imported cars in the past..

1987 Corona 2.0L Auto
2006 Vauxhall 1.2L Man
2003 Audi A3 2.0L FSI 6sp Man
2005 BMW E90 325i 2.5L 6sp Auto
2008 VW Golf 2.0L TDI 6sp DSG

So I'm in the market for a new locally made car and decided to try the SV6 and XR6 out.

Holden SV6 Series II
====================

I managed to get my hands on a 3.6L SIDI 6sp auto variant of these. It was the dark red metallic version, 2010 build with what I think factory tinted glass.

Coming from the Golf, the drive took a bit of getting used to, but after no more than 10 minutes though I was hooked.

The grip on this car is amazing. You could throw it around corners and it handles whatever you give it in a controlled manner. For a RWD car, I would have to say the weight distribution of the car is perfect, even better than the BMW.

The 18" tyres certainly inspired an aire of confidence. I was looking for what I have read about the auto being not that great, though again coming from a Golf MK V it was silky smooth. A world of differnce.

I found the seats simply awesome – so comfy. They had great side support and were easily adjustable.

Acceleration was it's strongest point of the two cars I tested it just wants to go and go some more..

The only downers I could say – are that you've got to watch out on the A pillar blind spot to you right.. Getting the seat forward a bit does help a bit, but when doing turns into oncoming traffic it pays to lean forward as the A pillar does obscure some of your vision.

In comparison to all the cars I have owned – the only one that comes close was the E90 BMW ... But I feel the Holden a far more fun car to drive, to get it going you don't have to give it as much gas. It's also a quieter car than the Ford.

After leaving it to try the Ford I was sad to see it go, and I started to totally understand why Jeremy Clarkson from Topgear, liked the Holdens so much. This has to be IMHO one of the most underrated cars.

Ford FG Falcon XR6 MK I
=======================

The first thing I noticed after getting into this car was the different seating position.. The Holden you sit "in" – as if the car is designed around the driver. The Ford you sit "on".. (more like driving a bus?)

The Ford is a good looking car there's not doubt about that, and from what I read on forums and reviews I was really looking forward to driving it, having my positive Holden experience and expecting the Ford to be better.

So firstly, the thing I noticed was the power, or lack thereof. Be it the pedal mapping or the weight of the car, it was slower. Soo much slower.

To drive, the Ford felt heavy. The front end was soo heavy – it was as if all the weight of the car was placed at the front. And the front is long. Around corners the nose would dive in and the rear being dangerously light felt like it would lose traction at any moment.

I was hoping to be blown away by the Ford's torque that everyone raved about but if it was there, it's lost in the driver experience. I felt the transmission changed gears too early, and to get it moving you've got to really give it gas and the car would lurch forward in an uncontrolled manner.

The most disturbing thing about the Ford was the steering. On full lock it made the engine have the most horrible whining noise. For a 2011 build car this is a deal breaker.

If you have to park anywhere in Zone 1 the car is too long – 10cm longer than the Holden, and you feel it. It's no good for the everyday commute.

The centre console was drowning in buttons with print way to small to read, the Holden IQ is a far better interface to use. And the fabric on the doors was horrible!

I would have to say the Holden had a far better interior fit-out also.

On a positive note, rear vision was better in the Ford but that's about all I can recall...

Overall it was the least positive experience I could have had in a car.

Verdict
=======

I currently have the Holden back and I'm left with no question in my mind what car I will be buying.

I just thought I had to leave this review because I have read so many people saying how great XR6 is but having now tried both – I'm totally bewildered as to how this conclusion can be arrived at.

I would urge anyone that reads reviews on these two cars to actually go out and drive both for a week before making up your mind.